Medium supply device

Abstract

A medium supply device is provided. In the medium supply device, occurrence of double feeding and empty feeding is reduced. The medium supply device includes a supply section (a paper feed roller (12), a separation plate (13), and the like) that supplies a medium (paper (P)), a medium detection sensor (a registration sensor (S)) that detects the medium supplied by the supply section, and a control section (18a) that changes a supply setting of the supply section based on a detection result of the medium detection sensor. The control section (18a) switches the supply setting to be changed from among a plurality of supply settings of the supply section based on the detection result of the medium detection sensor.

Description

Medium supply device Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a medium supply device for supplying a medium. Background Technology

[0002] In the past, in order to eliminate the tilting of paper caused by tilting during the transport process, or to synchronize the printing start position on the printing paper with the printing start position of the printing unit, there are known paper feeding devices that cause the paper to bend by temporarily stopping it by abutting the front end of the supplied paper against the positioning roller, and then feed it to the printing unit at a predetermined time.

[0003] In such a paper feeding device, a paper feeding device is proposed as follows (for example, see Patent Document 1): the load current of the paper feeding pickup roller is used to determine whether the paper being fed is one sheet or multiple sheets; if it is multiple sheets, the paper feeding pickup roller is driven at a slower speed than when feeding one sheet.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-076155 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0008] In addition, in printing devices, overlapping feeding or empty feeding sometimes occurs during paper feeding.

[0009] When overlapping feeds occur, blank paper may be included in the ejected paper, thus changing the page order. Alternatively, the paper may become thicker and come into contact with the print head or other printing parts, causing damage to the print head. The paper may become dirty during transport. Paper jam clearance / error clearing operations may occur due to the printing operation stopping, thus reducing paper supply efficiency (productivity).

[0010] On the other hand, when an empty feed occurs, the paper feed slows down, making it impossible to fully form the paper bending caused by contact with the positioning roller pair, or the time required to feed each sheet of paper reduces the paper feeding efficiency (productivity).

[0011] For example, sometimes overlapping feed can be suppressed by slowing down the conveying speed of the paper pick-up roller (paper supply unit), as described in the paper supply device above. Additionally, sometimes empty feed can be suppressed by increasing the conveying speed. However, depending on the deterioration of the components of the paper supply unit, the stacking position of the paper on the tray, etc., the ease of eliminating overlapping feed and empty feed varies even when the paper supply settings are changed. Therefore, simply changing a specific paper supply setting (conveying speed) each time cannot reliably eliminate overlapping feed and empty feed.

[0012] The present invention provides a medium supply device that can reduce the occurrence of overlapping feeding and empty feeding.

[0013] Solution for solving the problem

[0014] In one embodiment, the medium supply device includes: a supply unit that supplies a medium; a medium detection sensor that detects the medium supplied by the supply unit; and a control unit that changes the supply setting of the supply unit based on the detection result of the medium detection sensor, wherein the control unit switches the supply setting to be changed from a plurality of supply settings of the supply unit based on the detection result of the medium detection sensor.

[0015] The effects of the invention

[0016] According to the method described, the occurrence of overlapping feeding and empty feeding can be reduced. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the internal structure of a printing device in one embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the control structure of a printing device in one embodiment.

[0019] Figure 3 is a diagram showing the structure of the external paper feeding unit in one embodiment.

[0020] Figure 4 is a diagram showing the control structure of the external paper feeding unit in one embodiment.

[0021] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the paper that has not experienced empty feeding or overlapping feeding after a reference detection time in one embodiment.

[0022] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the tendency of paper to be emptied after a reference detection time in one embodiment.

[0023] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the tendency of paper to overlap after a reference detection time in one embodiment.

[0024] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the conditions under which overlapping feed / empty feed occurs in one embodiment.

[0025] Figure 9 is an example of the priority of paper feed setting switching and the content of paper feed setting changes in the case of overlapping feed / empty feed in one embodiment.

[0026] Figure 10 is a diagram (one of) illustrating the detection time corresponding to acceleration in one embodiment.

[0027] Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating the detection time corresponding to acceleration in one embodiment (second example).

[0028] Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating the adjustment of the separation angle of the separation plate in one embodiment.

[0029] Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating the adjustment of the separation pressure of the separation plate in one embodiment.

[0030] Figure 14 is a diagram illustrating a detection example of empty / overlapping feeding in one embodiment.

[0031] Figure 15 is a diagram illustrating another detection example of empty / overlapping feeding in one embodiment.

[0032] Figure 16 is a diagram illustrating a change in the paper supply settings in one embodiment (one of the embodiments).

[0033] Figure 17 is a diagram illustrating a change in the paper supply settings in one embodiment (second example).

[0034] Figure 18 is a diagram (one of) illustrating changes to multiple paper supply settings in one embodiment.

[0035] Figure 19 is a diagram (second one) illustrating changes to multiple paper supply settings in one embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The medium supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the internal structure of a printing device 1 in one embodiment.

[0038] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the control structure of the printing device 1.

[0039] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the printing apparatus 1 includes an external paper feed unit 10, an internal paper feed unit 20, a printing unit 40, a printing conveying unit 50, a paper discharge unit 60, and a positioning sensor S. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the printing apparatus 1 includes a positioning roller pair 31, an accelerating conveying unit 32, a constant speed conveying unit 33, a flipping conveying unit 34, a re-feeding unit 35, a paper discharge conveying unit 36, a straight-line conveying unit 37, and path switching units 38 and 39. Additionally, as shown in Figure 2, the printing apparatus 1 includes a conveying drive unit 70, a control unit 81, a storage unit 82, and an interface unit 83.

[0040] Furthermore, the paper P in this embodiment is an example of a medium. This medium can also be a sheet-like medium made of materials other than paper, or a medium with a folding portion such as an envelope. Therefore, in this specification, paper feeding is an example of supplying, and paper discharge is an example of discharging. Thus, it is possible to replace paper feeding with supplying (for example, replacing the re-feeding section with a re-supply section), to replace paper discharge with discharging, and to replace paper with a medium.

[0041] In Figure 1, a solid line represents the straight-line conveying path R1 of the paper P from the external paper supply unit 10 or the internal paper supply unit 20, a double-dotted line represents the continuous path from the double-sided printing circulation conveying path R2 located above the printing unit 40 to the paper discharge conveying path R3, and a dashed line represents the flipping conveying path R2a of the circulation conveying path R2.

[0042] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the external paper supply unit 10 includes a paper supply tray 11, a paper supply roller 12, and a separation plate 13. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the external paper supply unit 10 includes a thickness setting unit 14 (see Figure 1), a supply drive unit 15, a lifting drive unit 16, a separation plate drive unit 17, a control unit 18a, a storage unit 18b, and an interface unit 18c. The external paper supply unit 10 is configured, for example, to extend to the outside of the printing device 1. Moreover, each part of the external paper supply unit 10, except for the control unit 18a, the storage unit 18b, and the interface unit 18c, functions as an example of a media supply unit. Additionally, the media supply device in this embodiment includes this supply unit, a positioning sensor S, and a control unit 18a (or a control unit 81 described later).

[0043] As shown in Figure 3, the paper P before printing is stacked in the paper supply tray 11. Furthermore, the paper supply tray 11 is an example of a tray used for stacking media.

[0044] The paper feed roller 12 has a scraper roller 12a and a pickup roller 12b, which feeds and transports the topmost sheet P among multiple sheets of paper P stacked on the paper feed tray 11. In addition, the paper feed roller 12 is an example of a supply member for feeding media.

[0045] The paper P is held between the separating plate 13 and the pick-up roller 12b to separate the paper P sheet by sheet. In addition, the separating plate 13 is an example of a separating member used to hold and separate the medium between itself and the feed member (paper feed roller 12).

[0046] The thickness setting unit 14 shown in Figures 1 and 4 is used by the user to set the thickness of the paper P stacked on the paper supply tray 11. For example, the thickness setting unit 14 has a lever or dial that can move between a position labeled as "thick paper" indicating that the paper P is thick, a position labeled as "plain paper" indicating that the paper P is plain paper, and a position labeled as "thin paper" indicating that the paper P is thin paper. The control unit 18a, described later, acquires information about the thickness of the paper P set in the thickness setting unit 14. In addition, the control unit 18a can also acquire information about the thickness of the paper P set through a print job, the operation panel of the printing device 1, etc.

[0047] The supply drive unit 15 shown in Figure 4 is an actuator such as a motor used to drive the paper supply roller 12. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the adjustment of the acceleration and conveying speed of the external paper supply unit 10 is explained, but these are the acceleration and conveying speed of the supply drive unit 15. The actual acceleration and conveying speed of the paper P being conveyed are smaller or slower than the values ​​of the actuator due to sliding between the paper P and the paper supply roller 12, etc.

[0048] The lifting drive unit 16 is an actuator such as a motor used to lift the paper supply tray 11.

[0049] The separation plate drive unit 17 is an actuator such as a motor for moving the separation plate 13 as shown in FIG. 12 (described later) in a direction away from the pickup roller 12b (paper P) (refer to separation plate 13(1)) and in a direction close to the pickup roller 12b (refer to separation plate 13(2)). In addition, the separation plate drive unit 17 rotates the separation plate 13 as shown in FIG. 13 (described later) in a direction that stands upright toward the pickup roller 12b side (refer to separation plate 13(+)) and in a direction that falls down away from the pickup roller 12b side (refer to separation plate 13(-)).

[0050] The control unit 18a has a processor (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit) that functions as an arithmetic processing device to control the operation of the external paper feed unit 10 as a whole. Details will be described later. The control unit 18a changes the paper feed setting of the external paper feed unit 10 (an example of a feed setting) based on the detection results of the positioning sensor S, or switches between multiple paper feed settings of the external paper feed unit 10 to be changed. Furthermore, when a media supply device including the external paper feed unit 10 and the positioning sensor S is integrally arranged in the printing device 1 (supply destination device) as shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 81 that controls the operation of the printing device 1 as a whole can also function as the control unit 18a.

[0051] Storage unit 18b includes, for example, memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). The ROM is a read-only semiconductor memory pre-recorded with a specified control program, and the RAM is a semiconductor memory that can be read and written at any time and is used as a working storage area as needed when the processor executes various control programs.

[0052] The interface unit 18c exchanges various types of information with external devices. For example, the interface unit 18c exchanges various types of information with the interface unit 83 of the printing device 1.

[0053] As shown in Figure 1, the internal paper feeding unit 20 has a first paper feeding unit 21, a second paper feeding unit 22, and a third paper feeding unit 23.

[0054] The first paper feed unit 21, the second paper feed unit 22, and the third paper feed unit 23 are arranged in this order from top to bottom inside the printing device 1. The first paper feed unit 21, the second paper feed unit 22, and the third paper feed unit 23 each have paper feed trays 21a, 22a, and 23a for stacking papers P before printing, and paper feed rollers 21b, 22b, and 23b as an example of a supply member that feeds and transports the topmost paper P among the multiple sheets of paper P stacked on the paper feed trays 21a, 22a, and 23a. Although not shown, the internal paper feed unit 20 is also equipped with actuators such as motors for driving the paper feed rollers 21b, 22b, and 23b.

[0055] The positioning roller pair 31 is positioned upstream of the printing unit 40 and the printing transport unit 50 in the continuous straight transport path R1 from the external paper supply unit 10 or the internal paper supply unit 20. The positioning roller pair 31 abuts against the paper P being transported to the printing unit 40 from the external paper supply unit 10, the internal paper supply unit 20, or the re-paper supply unit 35. Thus, the positioning roller pair 31 corrects the skewness of the paper P, transporting it while holding it in place. Furthermore, if the external paper supply unit 10 is understood as a primary supply unit, the positioning roller pair 31 functions as a secondary supply unit for supplying the paper P supplied by that primary supply unit.

[0056] The accelerating conveying unit 32 is capable of accelerating the conveying of paper P in the circulating conveying path R2. The accelerating conveying unit 32 has accelerating roller pairs 32a, 32b, and 32c that clamp and convey the paper P at the same time.

[0057] The constant velocity conveying unit 33 conveys the paper P at a constant velocity at a variable speed downstream of the accelerating conveying unit 32 in the conveying direction of the circulating conveying path R2. The constant velocity conveying unit 33 has a pair of constant velocity rollers 33a, 33b, and 33c that hold the paper P while conveying it.

[0058] The flipping conveying unit 34 is a pair of flipping rollers that flip the front and back sides of the paper P by clamping the paper P while folding and conveying it in the flipping conveying path R2a downstream of the constant speed conveying unit 33 in the conveying direction of the circulating conveying path R2.

[0059] The refeed unit 35 is a pair of refeed rollers that refeed paper P to the printing unit 40 downstream of the constant speed conveying unit 33 in the conveying direction of the circulating conveying path R2. The refeed unit 35 decelerates and conveys paper P when it comes into contact with the positioning roller pair 31.

[0060] The paper discharge conveying unit 36 ​​is a pair of paper discharge rollers that, while holding paper P, conveys the paper P to the paper discharge unit 60 in the paper discharge conveying path R3, which is upstream of the conveying direction of the flip conveying path R2a and connected to the circulating conveying path R2.

[0061] The straight-line conveying unit 37 is a pair of straight-line rollers located at the downstream end of the straight-line conveying path R1 in the conveying direction, which, while holding paper P, conveys the paper P to a paper discharge unit, conveying unit, or post-processing device (not shown) connected to the printing device 1.

[0062] The path switching unit 38 switches the paper P printed by the printing unit 40 between the straight-line transport path R1 and the circular transport path R2. The path switching unit 38 is, for example, a flipper.

[0063] The path switching unit 39 switches the transport path of the paper P being transported in the circulating transport path R2 between the flip transport path R2a and the paper discharge transport path R3. The path switching unit 39 is, for example, a fin-shaped member.

[0064] The printing unit 40, for example, has a line-type inkjet head (not shown) corresponding to each color used for printing. Furthermore, the printing method of the printing unit 40 can be a printing method other than inkjet printing.

[0065] The print conveying unit 50 is configured to face the print unit 40 and is used to convey paper P within the print unit 40. The print conveying unit 50 includes: a plurality of pulleys 51; a belt 52 mounted on the pulleys 51; a suction fan 53 that draws air through a plurality of holes provided in the belt 52, thereby causing the paper P to adhere to the belt 52; a guide roller 54 configured to face the pulleys 51 at the upstream end of the conveying direction of the print conveying unit 50; and a guide roller 55 configured to face the pulleys 51 at the downstream end of the conveying direction of the print conveying unit 50. Furthermore, the print conveying unit 50 is not limited to conveying the paper P while simultaneously adsorbing it.

[0066] The paper discharge section 60 is configured to protrude outside the printing device 1. The paper discharge section 60 has a paper discharge tray 61 for stacking printed paper P and a pair of paper discharge rollers 62 for conveying paper P to the paper discharge tray 61.

[0067] The positioning sensor S is positioned in the straight-line conveying path R1, downstream of the external paper feed unit 10 and upstream of the positioning roller pair 31 in the conveying direction of the paper P. The positioning sensor S detects the paper P supplied by the external paper feed unit 10 and the re-feed unit 35. Furthermore, the positioning sensor S is an example of a media detection sensor that detects the paper P supplied by the external paper feed unit 10.

[0068] The conveying drive unit 70 shown in Figure 2 includes a positioning drive unit 71 for driving the positioning roller pair 31, an acceleration drive unit 72 for driving the acceleration conveying unit 32, a constant speed drive unit 73 for driving the constant speed conveying unit 33, a flipping drive unit 74 for driving the flipping conveying unit 34, a refeed drive unit 75 for driving the refeeding unit 35, a discharge drive unit 76 for driving the discharge conveying unit 36, a straight-line drive unit 77 for driving the straight-line conveying unit 37, and switching drive units 78 and 79 for driving the path switching units 38 and 39. Each drive unit includes one or more actuators such as motors. In addition, a single actuator can also serve as multiple drive units.

[0069] The control unit 81 has a processor (e.g., CPU) that functions as an arithmetic processing unit to control the operation of the printing device 1 as a whole. The control unit 81 can also change the paper feed setting of the external paper feed unit 10 based on the detection result of the positioning sensor S, or switch the paper feed setting to be changed from multiple paper feed settings of the external paper feed unit 10, in order to replace the control unit 18a of the external paper feed unit 10 shown in FIG4.

[0070] The storage unit 82 may include, for example, memory such as ROM, RAM, or hard disk device. The ROM is a read-only semiconductor memory pre-recorded with a specified control program, and the RAM is a semiconductor memory that can be read and written at any time and is used as a working storage area as needed when the processor executes various control programs.

[0071] The interface unit 83 exchanges various types of information with external devices. For example, the interface unit 83 receives print jobs containing print data from the user terminal, or exchanges various types of information with the interface unit 18c of the external paper supply unit 10.

[0072] Next, the empty feeding and overlapping feeding of paper P will be explained with reference to Figures 5 to 7.

[0073] First, if the detection time from when the external paper supply unit 10 starts supplying paper P (for example, when the control unit 18a sends a start signal to the supply drive unit 15) until the positioning sensor S detects paper P is the same as the reference detection time, which is a predetermined theoretical value, then after the reference detection time has elapsed since the external paper supply unit 10 starts supplying paper P, as shown in FIG5, the leading edge of paper P is detected by the positioning sensor S.

[0074] Next, if the paper P is delayed due to a tendency to be fed without paper, and after a reference detection time has elapsed since the external paper supply unit 10 starts supplying paper P, as shown in FIG6, the leading edge of paper P does not reach the positioning sensor S and is not detected by the positioning sensor S. That is, the detection time is longer than the reference detection time.

[0075] Next, as shown in FIG7, in the case where the paper P tends to be fed in an overlapping manner as the subsequent paper P (2) is fed along with the preceding paper P (1), and the paper P is supplied quickly, after a reference detection time elapsed since the paper P is supplied from the external paper supply unit 10, the leading edge of the paper P passes the positioning sensor S as shown in FIG7. That is, the detection time is shorter than the reference detection time.

[0076] It can be said that the empty feeds shown in Figure 6 and the overlapping feeds shown in Figure 7 occur, for example, under the conditions shown in Figure 8. Furthermore, the empty feed tendency and the overlapping feed tendency refer to the state of empty feeds or overlapping feeds that occur to a degree that does not produce empty feed errors or overlapping feed errors.

[0077] For example, if the separator plate 13 and the pick-up roller 12b (paper feed roller 12) are worn, the separator plate 13's separation performance for paper P deteriorates, making it easy for paper P to be fed in an overlapping manner. Furthermore, if paper scraps accumulate on the paper feed roller 12, slippage between paper P and the paper feed roller 12 can easily lead to empty feeding; if paper scraps accumulate on the separator plate 13, the separator plate 13's separation performance for paper P deteriorates, making it easy for paper P to be fed in an overlapping manner. Additionally, if the stacked position of paper P in the paper feed tray 11 is towards the rear (upstream in the conveying direction), paper feeding will be delayed, making empty feeding likely; if the stacked position is towards the front (downstream in the conveying direction), overlapping feeding is likely. Furthermore, if the side guard plate (not shown), which is used to limit the width of the paper P on the paper supply tray 11 in the conveying direction, is set to be narrower than specified in the width direction, dry feeding is likely to occur due to friction between the paper P and the side guard plate. If the side guard plate is set to be wider than specified in the width direction, friction between the paper P and the side guard plate is ineffective, and overlapping feeding is likely to occur. In addition, if the paper P is made of a material that is difficult to rub against, dry feeding is likely to occur; if the paper P is made of a material that is easy to rub against, overlapping feeding is likely to occur.

[0078] When the control unit 18a detects that the paper P is being fed without paper (in a tendency to feed without paper) or being fed with paper (in a tendency to feed with paper), it changes the paper feed settings as shown in FIG9, for example, to eliminate the feeding without paper and the feeding with paper. Furthermore, as will be described later, the paper feed settings to be changed are switched in order of priority (1) to (8) based on the detection results of the positioning sensor S.

[0079] For example, when an empty feed is detected due to a change in the separation pressure of the separation plate 13, the control unit 18a controls the separation plate drive unit 17 to reduce the separation pressure by moving the separation plate 13 away from the pick-up roller 12b (paper P) (refer to separation plate 13(1)), as shown in FIG12. Furthermore, when an overlapping feed is detected, the control unit 18a controls the separation plate drive unit 17 to increase the separation pressure by moving the separation plate 13 closer to the pick-up roller 12b (paper P) (refer to separation plate 13(2)).

[0080] Furthermore, when an empty feed is detected due to a change in the separation angle of the separation plate 13, the control unit 18a controls the separation plate drive unit 17 to rotate the separation plate 13 in the - direction (referring to separation plate 13(-)) as shown in FIG13, where the separation plate 13 is tilted down away from the pickup roller 12b (paper P). Additionally, when an overlapping feed is detected, the control unit 18a controls the separation plate drive unit 17 to rotate the separation plate 13 in the + direction (referring to separation plate 13(+)) where the separation plate 13 is upright towards the pickup roller 12b (paper P) side.

[0081] Furthermore, the separation pressure and separation angle of the separation plate 13, which is used as a paper supply setting, are examples of the position settings of the external paper supply unit 10.

[0082] Additionally, the paper feeding acceleration when the external paper feeding unit 10 starts feeding paper is the acceleration A [m / s²] shown in Figure 10. 2 In the case of […], the detection time [ms] from the start of paper feeding from the external paper feeding unit 10 to the detection of paper by the positioning sensor S, for a portion of the paper P from approximately the 10th to the 55th paper P being fed, is earlier than the stable range, indicating a tendency for paper P to be fed in overlapping order. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 11, the acceleration A [m / s²…] 2 Decrease to acceleration B [m / s²] 2 In the case of [condition], the detection time for approximately the 7th to approximately the 95th sheet of paper P being transported becomes longer and converges to a stable range. Thus, it can be said that increasing the acceleration shortens the detection time, and decreasing the acceleration lengthens the detection time.

[0083] Therefore, as shown in FIG9, when the paper feeding acceleration is changed, the control unit 18a controls the supply drive unit 15 in such a way that when empty feeding (empty feeding tendency) is detected, the paper feeding acceleration is increased and when overlapping feeding (overlapping feeding tendency) is detected, the acceleration is decreased.

[0084] Similarly, regarding the deceleration of the external paper feed unit 10 when the paper P abuts against the positioning roller pair 31, the control unit 18a controls the supply drive unit 15 in such a way that it increases the deceleration acceleration when empty feed is detected and decreases the deceleration when overlapping feed is detected.

[0085] In addition, if the paper feed start timing is changed, the control unit 18a controls the supply drive unit 15 in such a way that the paper feed start timing is advanced when an empty feed is detected, and the paper feed start timing is delayed when an overlapping feed is detected.

[0086] In addition, when the bending amount is changed, the control unit 18a controls the supply drive unit 15 in such a way that when an empty feed is detected, the bending amount formed by the paper P abutting against the positioning roller pair 31 is increased (that is, the driving amount of the paper feed roller 12 used to transport a piece of paper P is increased, i.e., the transport amount is increased), and when an overlapping feed is detected, the bending amount is decreased (the transport amount is decreased).

[0087] In addition, when the paper feed speed is changed, the control unit 18a controls the supply drive unit 15 to increase the paper feed speed when an empty feed is detected and to decrease the paper feed speed when an overlapping feed is detected.

[0088] Furthermore, when the upper limit position of the paper is changed, the control unit 18a controls the lifting drive unit 16 to raise the paper supply tray 11 (the topmost paper P stacked on the paper supply tray 11) when an empty feed is detected, and to lower the paper supply tray 11 when an overlapping feed is detected. As an example, when the position of the scraper roller 12a, which is pushed upward by the paper P on the paper supply tray 11, is detected by the upper limit detection sensor (not shown), the control unit 18a controls the lifting drive unit 16 to stop the rise of the paper supply tray 11. However, when the paper supply tray 11 is raised, the amount of raising the paper supply tray 11 is increased after the upper limit detection sensor detects it, and when the paper supply tray 11 is lowered, the amount of raising the paper supply tray 11 is decreased after the upper limit detection sensor detects it.

[0089] The height of the paper feed tray 11 and the scraper roller 12a (paper feed roller 12), which are part of the paper feed settings, and the separation pressure and separation angle of the separation plate 13 mentioned above are also examples of the position settings of the external paper feed unit 10. Regarding this position setting, the control unit 18a notifies the user of the changed position setting through a display unit (not shown) and a sound output unit (not shown), thereby considering the position setting as changed.

[0090] Furthermore, the paper feed settings priority (1) to (8) shown in FIG9 can be set separately in cases of empty feed or overlapping feed. Alternatively, the paper feed settings priority (1) to (8) shown in FIG9 can be set according to the paper type (an example of media type) such as the thickness, size, and material of the paper P. For example, the control unit 18a preferably records the paper type and the usage status of the external paper feed unit 10 (printing device 1) (number of printed sheets, number of times each component is used, etc.) in advance when the paper feed settings are changed, and restores the paper feed settings priority to the initial value when the paper type or component is changed. In addition, the degree of change of each paper feed setting can be increased or decreased according to the paper type.

[0091] Furthermore, for example, if the paper feeding acceleration or deceleration is excessively slowed down, the paper feeding start timing is excessively delayed, or the paper feeding speed is excessively reduced, the start time of the positioning roller pair 31's transport will be delayed, or the positioning roller pair 31 will start transporting the paper before the paper P has arrived, resulting in a transport error. Therefore, the control unit 18a preferably changes the paper feeding setting and switches the changed paper feeding setting in a manner that brings the paper feeding end time of the external paper feeding unit 10 to within a predetermined end period.

[0092] Next, we will describe the detection examples of empty delivery state and overlapping delivery state with reference to Figures 14 and 15.

[0093] The example shown in Figure 14 is an example where the reference detection time [ms] is 50 [ms], and the detection time [ms] from the start of paper feeding from the external paper feeding unit 10 to the detection of the paper by the positioning sensor S is 50 [ms], 50 [ms], 55 [ms], 45 [ms], 50 [ms], 50 [ms], 50 [ms], 40 [ms], 50 [ms], 50 [ms], 50 [ms].

[0094] In this case, the time difference, which is the difference between the detection time and the reference detection time, is 5 [ms] for the 3rd paper P, -5 [ms] for the 4th paper P, -10 [ms] for the 8th paper P, and 0 [ms] for the other 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th and 10th papers P.

[0095] In the example shown in Figure 14, when the time difference reaches a threshold of ±5 [ms], the control unit 18a determines that the detection result of the positioning sensor S does not meet the reference and changes the paper feeding setting. For example, since the time difference of the third paper P is 5 [ms], the control unit 18a changes the setting for the separation pressure of the priority (1) shown in Figure 9 under the condition of being prone to empty feeding, starting from the paper P following the third paper P (the fourth paper P).

[0096] Afterwards, the time difference of the fourth sheet P under the condition that the paper feed setting has been changed becomes -5 [ms] again. Therefore, the control unit 18a restores the change of the separation pressure to the original standard setting from the fifth sheet P, for example, and changes the setting for the separation angle of priority (2) in the case of overlapping feeding tendency.

[0097] Furthermore, the time difference of the 8th paper P when the paper feed setting is changed becomes -10 [ms]. Therefore, the control unit 18a restores the change in separation angle to the original standard setting from the 9th paper P, for example, and changes the setting for the paper feed acceleration of priority (3) when it is in the case of overlapping feed tendency.

[0098] Next, the example shown in Figure 15 is an example where the reference detection time [ms] is 50 [ms], and the detection time [ms] from the start of paper feeding from the external paper feeding unit 10 to the detection of the paper by the positioning sensor S in the order of the 1st to the 10th paper P is 50 [ms], 52 [ms], 56 [ms], 57 [ms], 58 [ms], 52 [ms], 56 [ms], 52 [ms], 50 [ms], and 51 [ms].

[0099] In this case, the time difference, which is the difference between the detection time and the reference detection time, is 0 [ms], 2 [ms], 6 [ms], 7 [ms], 8 [ms], 2 [ms], 7 [ms], 2 [ms], 0 [ms], and 1 [ms] in the order of the 1st to 10th sheets of paper P.

[0100] In the example shown in Figure 15, when the time difference reaches the threshold of ±5 [ms] four times (an example of a predetermined number), the control unit 18a determines that the detection result of the positioning sensor S does not meet the reference and changes the paper feeding setting. For example, since the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 7th sheets P have a time difference of ±5 [ms] or more, the control unit 18a changes the setting for the separation pressure of the priority (1) shown in Figure 9, starting from the subsequent sheet P (the 8th sheet P) after the 7th sheet P, to be in a state of drowsy feeding tendency.

[0101] Furthermore, in the example of Figure 15, the difference time is not a negative value during overlapping feed, but if the difference time during overlapping feed is +5 [ms] or more and the difference time during empty feed is -5 [ms] or more in sequence, the control unit 18a may change the paper feeding setting only when the threshold is reached a predetermined number of times during empty feed or only during overlapping feed.

[0102] Alternatively, the control unit 18a may change the paper supply settings based on, for example, the sum or average of the difference time of the past 3 sheets (a specified number of sheets) of paper P reaching a threshold.

[0103] Next, the changes to the paper supply settings will be explained with reference to Figures 16 to 19.

[0104] In the examples shown in Figures 16 to 19, when the time difference reaches a first threshold (an example of a first reference) of ±15 [ms] (illustrated by a dashed line), the control unit 18a determines that the detection result of the positioning sensor S does not meet the reference and changes the paper feeding setting. Furthermore, when the time difference reaches a second threshold (an example of a second reference) of ±20 [ms] (illustrated by a thick dashed line), the control unit 18a determines that there is an overlap feed error or a dry feed error and controls the supply drive unit 15 to stop feeding. The first threshold is a value used to determine whether a dry feed or overlap feed (i.e., a tendency towards dry feed or overlap feed) has occurred to the extent that a paper feeding error (supply error) has not occurred, and the second threshold is a value used to determine that the detection result of the positioning sensor S is a paper feeding error (supply error). Preferably, when the detection result of the positioning sensor S reaches the second threshold, for example, if an overlap feed error occurs, the user performs a paper jam release, and if a dry feed error occurs, the external paper feeding unit 10 retryes feeding the paper. Furthermore, even if the paper feeding stops when the difference time reaches the second threshold of ±20 [ms], the control unit 18a will change the paper feeding setting for the subsequent paper P in the same way as when the first threshold is reached.

[0105] When the time difference between the paper feed settings and the changed paper feed settings reaches the first or second threshold again after the paper feed settings have been changed, the control unit 18a switches to the paper feed settings to be changed. Furthermore, when the time difference reaches the second threshold, it is preferable to make the degree of change in the paper feed settings greater than the degree of change when the time difference reaches the first threshold (for example, if it is the paper feed acceleration, when the time difference reaches the second threshold, it is preferable to change the acceleration to be greater or less than the acceleration when the time difference reaches the first threshold).

[0106] In the time difference [ms] of the 1st to 50th sheets of paper P shown in FIG16, the time difference of the 19th sheet of paper P reaches -15 [ms], which is the first threshold. Therefore, the control unit 18a changes the separation pressure of the paper feeding priority (1) shown in FIG9 to a stronger pressure because it detects the tendency of overlapping feeding.

[0107] Subsequently, with the paper feed setting changed, the time difference of the 26th sheet P once again reaches -15 [ms], which is the first threshold. Therefore, the control unit 18a restores the separation pressure of the priority (1) of the paper feed setting shown in FIG9 to the original setting, and switches the paper feed setting to be changed to the separation angle of the priority (2) (in the + direction due to the detection of overlapping feeding tendency).

[0108] After the paper feed setting to be changed is switched to the separation angle of priority (2), the time difference of paper P does not reach ±15 [ms] as the first threshold or ±20 [ms] as the second threshold again. Therefore, the control unit 18a preferably changes the priority of the separation angle of the last changed paper feed setting (2) to (1) based on the fact that the time difference of paper P in the state where the paper feed setting has been changed does not reach the first threshold or the second threshold (an example of the change in the detection result of the positioning sensor S in the state where the paper feed setting has been changed). In this case, the priority of the separation pressure of the paper feed setting (1) is preferably lowered to (2).

[0109] In the time difference between the 1st to the 50th sheets of paper P shown in Figure 17, the time difference between the 20th sheet of paper P reaches -15ms, which is the first threshold. Therefore, the control unit 18a changes the separation pressure of the paper feeding priority (1) shown in Figure 9 to a stronger pressure because it detects the tendency of overlapping feeding.

[0110] Then, similar to the example shown in FIG16, when the paper feed setting is changed, the time difference of the 26th paper P reaches -15 [ms] again, which is the first threshold. Therefore, the control unit 18a restores the separation pressure of the priority (1) of the paper feed setting shown in FIG9 to the original setting, and switches the paper feed setting to be changed to the separation angle of the priority (2) (in the + direction due to the detection of overlapping feeding tendency).

[0111] Next, with the separation angle of priority (2) changed, the time difference of the 27th sheet P reaches -20 [ms], which is the second threshold. Therefore, the control unit 18a determines that there is an overlap feed error as described above and controls the supply drive unit 15 to stop feeding paper. In addition, the control unit 18a notifies the user to clear the paper jam. When the overlap feed error is cleared, the control unit 18a restores the separation angle of priority (2) of the paper feed setting shown in FIG9 to the original setting, switches the paper feed setting to be changed to the paper feed acceleration of priority (3) (deceleration due to the detection of overlap feed), and starts printing again.

[0112] Furthermore, if the time difference reaches -15 [ms], which is the first threshold, after the paper feed acceleration is changed, but the time difference does not reach the first or second threshold again within the specified period after the paper feed setting is changed or switched, then the paper feed setting to be changed may not be switched.

[0113] Afterwards, with the paper feed acceleration of priority (3) changed, the time difference of the 38th paper P reaches 15 [ms], which is the first threshold. Therefore, the control unit 18a restores the paper feed acceleration of priority (3) shown in FIG9 to the original setting and switches the paper feed setting to be changed to the paper feed deceleration of priority (4) (accelerated due to the detection of empty feed tendency).

[0114] Furthermore, when the paper feed deceleration of priority (4) is changed, the time difference of the 39th sheet P reaches 20 [ms], which is the second threshold. Therefore, the control unit 18a determines that there is a blank feed error as described above, and controls the supply drive unit 15 to stop the paper feed and retry. In addition, when the blank feed error is cleared due to a successful retry, the control unit 18a restores the paper feed deceleration of priority (4) shown in FIG9 to the original setting, and switches the paper feed setting to be changed to the paper feed start timing of priority (5) (advanced due to the detection of blank feed), and starts printing again.

[0115] After the paper feed setting to be changed is switched to the paper feed start timing of priority (5), the difference time of paper P does not reach ±15 [ms] as the first threshold or ±20 [ms] as the second threshold again. Therefore, the control unit 18a preferably changes the priority of the paper feed start timing of the paper feed setting (5) to (1) based on the fact that the difference time of paper P in the state where the paper feed setting has been changed does not reach the first threshold or the second threshold (an example of the change in the detection result of the positioning sensor S in the state where the paper feed setting has been changed). In this case, it is preferable to downgrade the priority of the original paper feed settings (1) to (4) to (2) to (5).

[0116] In the time difference between the 1st to the 50th sheets of paper P shown in FIG18, the time difference between the 19th sheet of paper P reaches -15 [ms], which is the first threshold. Therefore, the control unit 18a changes the separation pressure of the paper feeding priority (1) shown in FIG9 to a stronger pressure because it detects the tendency of overlapping feeding.

[0117] Subsequently, with the paper feed settings changed, the time difference of the 26th sheet P again reaches -15 [ms], which is the first threshold. Therefore, in addition to changing the separation pressure of the priority (1) of the paper feed settings shown in FIG9, the control unit 18a also changes the separation angle of the priority (2) (to the + direction due to the detection of overlapping feeding tendency). In this way, in the example shown in FIG18, the control unit 18a changes multiple paper feed settings at the same time. Furthermore, although this is just an example, the priority of changing multiple paper feed settings at the same time is preferably changed in the following order: (1), (1) and (2), (1) and (3), ..., (1) and the last (8), (2), (2) and (3), (2) and (4) ..., or in the order of (1), (1) and (2), (1) and (3), (2) and (3), (2) and (4), (3) and (5), ... . In addition, the priority of switching multiple paper feed settings can also be set for combination settings. In addition, more than three paper feed settings can be changed at the same time.

[0118] After the paper feed settings to be changed are switched to the separation pressure of priority (1) and the separation angle of priority (2), the time difference of paper P does not reach ±15 [ms] as the first threshold or ±20 [ms] as the second threshold again. Therefore, the control unit 18a preferably changes the priority of paper feed setting (2), or the priority of the combination of paper feed settings (1) and (2), to the highest priority based on the fact that the time difference of paper P in the state where the paper feed settings have been changed does not reach the first threshold or the second threshold (an example of the change in the detection result of the positioning sensor S in the state where the paper feed settings have been changed).

[0119] In the time difference between the 1st to the 50th sheets of paper P shown in FIG19, the time difference between the 20th sheet of paper P reaches -15 [ms], which is the first threshold. Therefore, the control unit 18a changes the separation pressure of the paper feeding priority (1) shown in FIG9 to a stronger pressure because it detects overlapping feeding.

[0120] Subsequently, with the paper feed settings changed, the time difference of the 26th sheet P again reaches -15 [ms], which is the first threshold. Therefore, in addition to changing the separation pressure of the priority (1) of the paper feed settings shown in FIG9, the control unit 18a also changes the separation angle of the priority (2) (to the + direction due to the detection of overlapping feeding tendency). In this way, in the example shown in FIG19, the control unit 18a also changes multiple paper feed settings at the same time.

[0121] Next, with the separation pressure of priority (1) and the separation angle of priority (2) changed, the time difference of the 27th sheet P reaches -20 [ms], which is the second threshold. Therefore, the control unit 18a determines that there is an overlap feed error as described above and controls the supply drive unit 15 to stop the paper supply. In addition, the control unit 18a notifies the user to clear the paper jam. When the overlap feed error is cleared, the control unit 18a restores the separation angle of priority (2) of the paper supply setting shown in FIG9 to the original setting, and switches the paper supply setting to be changed to the separation pressure of priority (1) and the paper supply acceleration of priority (3) (which decelerates due to the detection of overlap feed), and starts printing again.

[0122] After the paper feed settings to be changed are switched to the separation pressure of priority (1) and the paper feed acceleration of priority (3), the difference time of the paper P does not reach ±15 [ms] as the first threshold or ±20 [ms] as the second threshold again. Therefore, the control unit 18a preferably changes the priority of the paper feed setting (3) or the priority of the combination of paper feed settings (1) and (3) to the highest priority based on the fact that the difference time of the paper P in the state where the paper feed settings have been changed does not reach the first threshold or the second threshold (an example of the change in the detection result of the positioning sensor S in the state where the paper feed settings have been changed).

[0123] In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 18a determines that the detection result of the positioning sensor S does not meet the reference (overlapping feed or empty feed has occurred) based on the difference between the detection time from when the external paper feed unit 10 feeds paper and the time when the positioning sensor S detects the paper and the reference detection time reaches a threshold, and then performs a change in the paper feed setting or switches to the paper feed setting to be changed. However, the control unit 18a may also obtain, for example, the time interval from when the positioning sensor S detects the paper P, determine that the time interval (detection result) does not meet the reference (e.g., the first reference and the second reference mentioned above) (overlapping feed or empty feed has occurred), and then perform a change in the paper feed setting or switch to the paper feed setting to be changed.

[0124] In addition, for example, if a transmission sensor that detects the amount of light transmitted through the paper P is used as a media detection sensor, such as the positioning sensor S mentioned above, the control unit 18a may also determine that the reference (such as the first reference and the second reference mentioned above) is not met (overlapping feed or empty feed has occurred) based on the amount of light transmitted through the transmission sensor, and change the paper feed setting or switch the paper feed setting to be changed.

[0125] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 18a sequentially switches the paper feed settings to be changed according to the priority (1) to (8) shown in FIG9. However, the timing for changing the paper feed settings and the timing for switching the paper feed settings to be changed can also be determined by the paper feed setting change model configured in the learning unit of the external paper feed unit 10, the printing device 1, or an external device. In this case, the control unit 18a obtains information on the timing for changing the paper feed settings and the timing for switching the paper feed settings to be changed, which are determined by the paper feed setting change model, and performs the change of the paper feed settings and the switching of the paper feed settings to be changed based on this information. For example, the control unit 18a preferably sends the paper feed settings and the detection time corresponding to the paper feed settings to the learning unit. The learning unit, for example, performs deep learning by extracting features from the machine itself, or after a human has pre-assigned the features required to determine the timing for changing and switching the paper feed settings, and then learns based on the paper feed settings and the detection time corresponding to the paper feed settings.

[0126] In the embodiment described above, the media supply device includes an external paper supply unit 10 (excluding the control unit 18a, storage unit 18b, and interface unit 18c) as an example of a supply unit, a positioning sensor S as an example of a media detection sensor, and a control unit 18a. The external paper supply unit 10 supplies paper P as an example of a medium. The positioning sensor S detects the paper P supplied by the external paper supply unit 10. Based on the detection result of the positioning sensor S, the control unit 18a changes the paper supply setting of the external paper supply unit 10 (an example of a supply setting). In addition, based on the detection result of the positioning sensor S, the control unit 18a switches the paper supply setting to be changed from multiple paper supply settings of the external paper supply unit 10.

[0127] Therefore, the control unit 18a can, for example, determine whether overlapping feed or empty feed has occurred based on the detection result of the positioning sensor S, and change the paper feed setting to eliminate the overlapping feed or empty feed. Furthermore, the control unit 18a switches the paper feed setting to be changed based on the detection result of the positioning sensor S. Therefore, even if changing the paper feed setting does not reduce overlapping feed or empty feed, changing other paper feed settings increases the freedom of setting changes, thereby making it easier to reduce overlapping feed or empty feed. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the occurrence of overlapping feed and empty feed can be reduced.

[0128] Furthermore, for example, if the amount of deceleration of the paper feed acceleration is increased even if the overlapping feed cannot be eliminated by decelerating the paper feed acceleration as one of the paper feed settings, the start time of the positioning roller pair 31 will be delayed, or the positioning roller pair 31 will start feeding before the paper P has arrived, resulting in a feeding error. In this case, the paper feed efficiency decreases. In contrast, the control unit 18a in this embodiment switches the paper feed settings to be changed based on the detection results of the positioning sensor S when overlapping feed or empty feed cannot be eliminated. Therefore, the paper feed end time of the paper P of the external paper feed unit 10 can easily converge within the specified end period, thus avoiding a decrease in paper feed efficiency.

[0129] Furthermore, in this embodiment, after the control unit 18a changes a portion of the paper supply settings from the multiple paper supply settings of the external paper supply unit 10 when the detection result of the positioning sensor S does not meet the reference, if the detection result of the positioning sensor S in the state where the paper supply settings have been changed does not meet the aforementioned reference, the control unit 18a switches the paper supply setting to be changed from the multiple paper supply settings.

[0130] This allows for changes to the paper feed settings and switching of the desired paper feed settings, ensuring that the detection results from the positioning sensor S meet the criteria for minimizing overlapping or empty feeds. Therefore, overlapping and empty feeds can be further reduced.

[0131] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the detection result of the positioning sensor S meets the first threshold (an example of the first reference) before reaching the second threshold (an example of the second reference) used to determine a paper feed error, the control unit 18a switches the paper feed setting to be changed from multiple paper feed settings. Additionally, if a paper feed error is detected based on the positioning sensor S and, for example, a retry feeding of paper P in an empty feed state or paper jam clearance after the feeding of paper P in an overlapping feed state is stopped, the paper feed efficiency decreases. On the other hand, as in this embodiment, when the paper feed setting to be changed is switched during the stage where the detection result of the positioning sensor S meets the first threshold before reaching the second threshold used to determine a paper feed error, the occurrence of paper feed errors can be prevented in advance. Therefore, the occurrence of overlapping feeds and empty feeds can be reduced, and the decrease in paper feed efficiency caused by the occurrence of paper feed errors can also be prevented.

[0132] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 18a sets the priority of switching multiple paper feed settings and changes the priority based on the change in the detection result of the positioning sensor S when the paper feed setting has been changed. Therefore, by increasing the priority of paper feed settings that are less prone to overlapping feeds or empty feeds, the occurrence of overlapping feeds and empty feeds can be further reduced.

[0133] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 18a simultaneously changes multiple paper feed settings from multiple paper feed settings of the external paper feed unit 10. As a result, the degree of freedom in changing settings to reduce overlapping feeds or empty feeds is further increased, thus further reducing the occurrence of overlapping feeds and empty feeds.

[0134] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the detection result of the positioning sensor S is the detection time from the start of paper feeding P from the external paper feeding unit 10 until the positioning sensor S detects paper P. The control unit 18a switches the paper feeding setting to be changed from multiple paper feeding settings of the external paper feeding unit 10 based on the difference between the detection time of the positioning sensor S and the reference detection time reaching a threshold. Therefore, the occurrence of overlapping feed or empty feed can be reliably determined based on the detection time and the reference detection time. Thus, the switching of the paper feeding setting to be changed can be performed accurately according to the occurrence of overlapping feed or empty feed. Therefore, the occurrence of overlapping feed and empty feed can be further reduced.

[0135] In this embodiment, the media supply device includes an external paper supply unit 10 (excluding the control unit 18a, storage unit 18b, and interface unit 18c) as an example of a supply unit, a positioning sensor S as an example of a media detection sensor, and a control unit 18a. The external paper supply unit 10 supplies paper P as an example of a medium. The positioning sensor S detects the paper P supplied by the external paper supply unit 10. The control unit 18a changes the paper supply setting (an example of a supply setting) of the external paper supply unit 10 based on the detection result of the positioning sensor S. The paper supply setting includes the position setting of at least one of the paper supply tray 11 (an example of a tray), the paper supply roller 12 (an example of a supply member), and the separation plate 13 (an example of a separation member) in the external paper supply unit 10. The paper supply tray 11 is used to stack paper P, the paper supply roller 12 is used to feed the paper P stacked on the paper supply tray 11, and the separation plate 13 is used to clamp the paper P between itself and the paper supply roller 12 (pickup roller 12b) and separate the paper P. The control unit 18a changes the position setting of the external paper feed unit 10 based on the detection results of the positioning sensor S.

[0136] Therefore, the control unit 18a can, for example, determine whether overlapping feed or empty feed has occurred based on the detection results of the positioning sensor S, and change the paper feeding settings to eliminate such overlapping feed or empty feed. Furthermore, since the control unit 18a changes the position setting of the external paper feeding unit 10 based on the detection results of the positioning sensor S, the spacing between the paper P and each component (paper feeding roller 12, separator plate 13, etc.) changes, making it easier to reduce overlapping feed or empty feed. Thus, the occurrence of overlapping feed or empty feed can be reduced.

[0137] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements during the implementation stage without departing from its spirit. Additionally, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining the multiple constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, all the constituent elements shown in the embodiments can be appropriately combined. Of course, various modifications and applications can be made within this scope without departing from the spirit of the invention. The invention described in the claims of the original application is hereby appended.

[0138] [Postscript 1]

[0139] A medium supply device, characterized in that it comprises:

[0140] The supply department, and its supply medium;

[0141] A medium detection sensor that detects the medium supplied by the supply unit; and

[0142] The control unit changes the supply settings of the supply unit based on the detection results of the medium detection sensor.

[0143] The control unit switches the supply setting to be changed from among the multiple supply settings of the supply unit based on the detection result of the medium detection sensor.

[0144] [Postscript 2]

[0145] According to the medium supply device described in Appendix 1, it is characterized in that,

[0146] After the control unit changes a portion of the supply settings from the multiple supply settings of the supply unit when the detection result of the medium detection sensor does not meet the reference, if the detection result of the medium detection sensor in the state where the supply settings have been changed does not meet the reference, the control unit switches the supply setting to be changed from the multiple supply settings.

[0147] [Postscript 3]

[0148] According to the medium supply device described in Appendix 1 or 2, it is characterized in that,

[0149] If the detection result of the medium detection sensor meets the first reference before reaching the second reference used to determine that there is a supply error, the control unit switches the supply setting to be changed from among the multiple supply settings.

[0150] [Postscript 4]

[0151] The medium supply device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3 is characterized in that,

[0152] The control unit sets a priority for switching multiple supply settings, and changes the priority based on the change in the detection result of the medium detection sensor when the supply settings are changed.

[0153] [Postscript 5]

[0154] The medium supply device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 4 is characterized in that,

[0155] The control unit simultaneously changes multiple supply settings from multiple supply settings of the supply unit.

[0156] [Postscript 6]

[0157] The medium supply device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 5 is characterized in that,

[0158] The detection result is the detection time from the start of the supply of the medium by the supply unit until the medium detection sensor detects the medium.

[0159] The control unit switches the supply setting to be changed from among the multiple supply settings of the supply unit based on the difference between the detection time of the medium detection sensor and the reference detection time reaching a threshold.

[0160] [Postscript 7]

[0161] A medium supply device, characterized in that it comprises:

[0162] The supply department, and its supply medium;

[0163] A medium detection sensor that detects the medium supplied by the supply unit; and

[0164] The control unit changes the supply settings of the supply unit based on the detection results of the medium detection sensor.

[0165] The supply setting includes the positioning of at least one of the tray, supply member, and separation member in the supply unit. The tray is used to stack the medium, the supply member is used to deliver the medium stacked on the tray, and the separation member is used to clamp the medium between itself and the supply member and separate the medium.

[0166] The control unit changes the position setting of the supply unit based on the detection results of the medium detection sensor.

[0167] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0168] 1: Printing unit; 10: External paper supply unit; 11: Paper supply tray; 12: Paper supply roller; 12a: Scraper roller; 12b: Pick-up roller; 13: Separator plate; 14: Thickness setting unit; 15: Supply drive unit; 16: Lifting drive unit; 17: Separator plate drive unit; 18a: Control unit; 18b: Storage unit; 18c: Interface unit; 20: Internal paper supply unit; 21: First paper supply unit; 22: 21a, 22a, 23a: Paper feed section 2; 21b, 22b, 23b: Paper feed trays; 21b, 22b, 23b: Paper feed rollers; 31: Positioning roller pair; 32: Accelerating conveying section; 32a, 32b, 32c: Accelerating roller pair; 33: Constant speed conveying section; 33a, 33b, 33c: Constant speed roller pair; 34: Tilting conveying section (folding roller pair); 35: Re-feeding section (re-feeding roller pair) ); 36: Paper feeding and conveying section (paper feeding roller pair); 37: Straight feed conveying section (straight feed roller pair); 38, 39: Path switching section; 40: Printing section; 50: Printing and conveying section; 51: Pulley; 52: Belt; 53: Suction fan; 54, 55: Guide rollers; 60: Paper feeding section; 61: Paper feeding tray; 62: Paper feeding roller pair; 70: Conveying drive section; 71: Positioning drive section; 72: Acceleration drive section; 73: Constant speed drive section; 74: Flipping drive section; 75: Re-feeding drive section; 76: Paper feeding drive section; 77: Straight feed drive section; 78, 79: Switching drive section; 81: Control section; 82: Storage section; 83: Interface section; P: Paper; R1: Straight feed conveying path; R2: Circulating conveying path; R2a: Flipping conveying path; R3: Paper feeding conveying path; S: Positioning sensor.

Claims

1. A medium supply device, characterized in that, The device includes: a supply unit that supplies a medium; a medium detection sensor that detects the medium supplied by the supply unit; and a control unit that changes the supply settings of the supply unit based on the detection result of the medium detection sensor. The control unit, when the detection result of the medium detection sensor does not meet a reference, changes a portion of the supply settings from a plurality of supply settings of the supply unit. If the detection result of the medium detection sensor in the changed supply setting state does not meet the reference, the control unit switches between the multiple supply settings to be changed. The control unit sets a priority for switching the multiple supply settings and changes the priority based on whether the detection result of the medium detection sensor in the changed supply setting state meets the reference.

2. The medium supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the detection result of the medium detection sensor reaches a first threshold before reaching a second threshold for determining a supply error, the control unit switches the supply setting to be changed from among the multiple supply settings.

3. The medium supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit simultaneously changes multiple supply settings from multiple supply settings of the supply unit.

4. The medium supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection result is the detection time from the start of the supply unit supplying the medium to the point where the medium detection sensor detects the medium. The control unit switches the supply setting to be changed from multiple supply settings of the supply unit based on the difference between the detection time of the medium detection sensor and the reference detection time reaching a threshold.

5. The medium supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The supply setting includes the position setting of at least one of the tray, supply member, and separation member in the supply unit, wherein the tray is used to stack the medium, the supply member is used to deliver the medium stacked on the tray, and the separation member is used to clamp the medium between itself and the supply member and separate the medium.

Images